Bethany Christian Services Clinic

At this clinic, Western Michigan University partners with Bethany Christian Services to offer occupational therapy services to adolescent boys who have experienced adverse life events, developmental trauma, and/or early childhood neglect who are currently participating in the Youth with Sexual Behavior Problems (YSBP) residential program. The YSBP program utilizes the sanctuary model and offers a safe and constructive living environment with access to multidisciplinary intervention to promote healing, family reconciliation, and develop the skills necessary to successfully transition back into the community. Our goal is to promote function and engagement at home, in their residential facility, and in their communities, by building foundational developmental skills that were disrupted by their life’s experiences. Specific diagnosis may include, but are not limited to: 

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder 
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder 
• Bipolar Disorder 
• Mood disorder 
• Sensory Processing Dysfunction 

The Bethany Christian Services clinic offers a comprehensive evaluation and assessment that is used to guide intervention. The following are examples of intervention activities that may be used to help build the youth’s skills: 

•  Brain-body integration activities such as yoga, Bal-A-Vis-X, and other rhythmic activities 
• Interoception activities such as labeling bodily responses  
• Sensory-motor activities  
• Diaphragmatic breathing exercises 

• Coordination skills required for activities such as writing, throwing/kicking a ball, dancing, and computer skills  
• Play-based activities 
• Social Thinking Skills 

The goal of these intervention activities is individualized to fit the needs of the youth. Some common goals identified by youth members include improving quality of sleep, acquiring emotional-regulation and coping strategies, and developing necessary skills to be successful in their current and future endeavors.  

Clinical services are provided by graduate student clinicians under the professional supervision of a registered and licensed occupational therapist. The OT clinic serves as a learning experience for WMU students. Treatment is provided in individual and/or group settings with a member from youth’s support team.